The Big Sick
What’s it about?
Writer and star Kumail Nanjiani brings the story of his burgeoning relationship with his now wife to the big screen, illustrating the ups and downs they faced with their cross-cultural connection, not least of which was Emily being in a coma.
What we thought
Angela Young says: This film is brilliant, go see it. It’s properly funny and properly real. Kumail plays himself, so we know we we’re getting the truth there, but Zoe Kazan is fantastic as down-to-earth and bubbly Emily. You will love all the characters in this film, literally – there’s not a baddie (or bad acting) among them. Even Ray Romano as Dad! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (but only a little bit), and you’ll only just notice the subtle lessons you’re learning about cultural integration and the hilarious nuances at play within a Pakistani muslim family in modern America.
A Monster Calls
What’s it about?
A troubled young boy (Lewis MacDougall) is visited by a storytelling monster (Liam Neeson). Emotional growth ensues.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: At first glance, this tale featuring an enchanted tree, a stern grandmother and fantastical revenge on a schoolyard bully seems a Dahl-esque children’s story. However, in an interesting twist on the genre, A Monster Calls takes place in the real world of divorce, chemotherapy and lawsuits, where good and evil aren’t clear-cut and endings are often imperfect. It’s not a subtle film, but the performances are decent, the animation in the storytelling sequences is gorgeous and the ending will make you cry.
War for the Planet of the Apes
What’s it about?
An escalating war between Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) apes and a renegade army colonel (Woody Harrelson) forces Caesar to choose between his desire for revenge and his quest for a better world for ape-kind.
What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: For the first time in the new series, apes are unapologetically placed front-and-centre as protagonists, and Serkis is utterly brilliant in his third turn as the messianic ape leader. A stark and arresting study of morality in war and how it influences our actions, War for the Planet of the Apes is visually stunning with great action sequences, and a satisfying conclusion to Caesar’s story – forming an interesting bridge between the modern reboot and the original films.
Dunkirk
What’s it about?
An intense depiction of WW2’s Battle of Dunkirk.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Two hours of pure tension. Dunkirk does away with preamble – there are no names, backstories or wistful talk of sweethearts back home. We barely even see the enemy. Instead, we’re plunged straight into urgent, up-close chaos. The strong performances (yes, even from that ‘one’ guy), minimal dialogue, and spectacular soundtrack moved my stoic companion to a masculine tear. See it.
Atomic Blonde
What’s it about?
Charlize Theron goes bananas as an MI6 agent who investigates the death of a fellow agent in Berlin.
What did we think?
Nick says: Putting aside the possible John Wick comparisons, Atomic Blonde is driven by some truly kinetic action that won’t induce seizures, and a great performance from Charlize Theron who asserts herself as a total-badass action-movie star.
Spiderman Homecoming
What’s it about?
Peter Parker juggles life as a teenager and wannabe Avenger. What could go wrong?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: With great reboot comes great responsibility. So it’s quite a relief that this Marvel-Sony hybrid has successfully returned Spiderman to the MCU in a romp typical of that universe. Thankfully they left out the almost obligatory origin story (no offence Uncle Ben but we’ve seen you enough) and chose to utilise the traditional theme song (taking note Snyder/Nolan?). Sprinkle with well-written characters and a truly impressive performance from Michael Keaton and this reboot truly hits all the marks. Tom Holland captures teenage life well without becoming angsty, RDJ is simply RDJ and the action is just great fun. The only minor grumble is the AI that makes the spider suit more like Iron Man but amidst more than two hours of genuinely funny action, that’s a bit of a nitpick.
What’s Popular
A Star is Born
What’s it about?
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a mega famous rock star, who is dealing with alcoholism. He discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), and makes her a star.
What did we think?
Imogen Chapman says: B-Coops can sing! And direct! We already knew about the acting thing. In A Star is Born he also manages to do an excellent younger Jeff Bridges impersonation.
This is the 3rd remake of the classic 1937 film, but don’t expect a jazzy Hollywood musical. It’s emotionally raw, which gives you some incredible moments, but very occasionally causes the movie to lag.
Honestly, this is a surprisingly great movie. The songs are powerful, the performances are awesome, and I was actually moved by the story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
4.5/5
Venom
What’s it about?
Reporter Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is infected by an alien parasite that gives him superpowers, but shares control of his body.
What Did We Think?
Peter Linning says: Desperately hoping that you’ll assume it’s part of Marvel’s cinematic universe (look, we have a Stan Lee cameo and everything!) Venom is occasionally fun, but not nearly enough to warrant your time. The movie’s best moments are the interactions between Tom Hardy’s Eddie and the “symbiote”, as he discovers the nature of their shared living situation. Sadly these scenes are few and far between, buried in a poorly-written and awkwardly paced mess.
McKellen: Playing the Part
What’s it about?
A documentary about the famous actor.
What did we think?
Oliver Hetherington-Page says: Ian McKellen’s name will be forever linked to his roles in Lord of The Rings and/or X men. While these topics are covered in the documentary, it isn’t what the film is about at its heart. From the opening words of the piece “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” we are made to think about the tragedy that lies at the heart of Mckellen. By exploring his life both on and off the stage we see a portrait man who is constantly playing a part. In some ways this film is just McKellen talking about his career an hour and half but this film is more than that. It is a self-written (if a bit premature) obituary to the 79-year-old Academy Award nominee.
First Man
What’s it about?
What do you really know about the first man on the moon?
What did we think?
Oliver Hetherington-Page says: First Man is a fascinating character piece on a man who we all believe we know. Ryan Gosling’s performance as Armstrong is captivating as a man of few words. In his silences, we see a man who doesn’t know how to express his feeling but we as the audience can feel it all the same. Claire Foy fresh off her Emmy winning role as Queen Elizabeth shines as Armstrong’s wife. But the real star of the movie is not the performances but Damien Chazelle’s superb direction.
The controversy over the “missing” flag shows that the dissenting voices missed the one thing the title screamed. It is about the first man, not the moon mission.
First Man is First Class.
Editor's Choice
A Star is Born
What’s it about?
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a mega famous rock star, who is dealing with alcoholism. He discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), and makes her a star.
What did we think?
Imogen Chapman says: B-Coops can sing! And direct! We already knew about the acting thing. In A Star is Born he also manages to do an excellent younger Jeff Bridges impersonation.
This is the 3rd remake of the classic 1937 film, but don’t expect a jazzy Hollywood musical. It’s emotionally raw, which gives you some incredible moments, but very occasionally causes the movie to lag.
Honestly, this is a surprisingly great movie. The songs are powerful, the performances are awesome, and I was actually moved by the story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
4.5/5
Venom
What’s it about?
Reporter Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is infected by an alien parasite that gives him superpowers, but shares control of his body.
What Did We Think?
Peter Linning says: Desperately hoping that you’ll assume it’s part of Marvel’s cinematic universe (look, we have a Stan Lee cameo and everything!) Venom is occasionally fun, but not nearly enough to warrant your time. The movie’s best moments are the interactions between Tom Hardy’s Eddie and the “symbiote”, as he discovers the nature of their shared living situation. Sadly these scenes are few and far between, buried in a poorly-written and awkwardly paced mess.
McKellen: Playing the Part
What’s it about?
A documentary about the famous actor.
What did we think?
Oliver Hetherington-Page says: Ian McKellen’s name will be forever linked to his roles in Lord of The Rings and/or X men. While these topics are covered in the documentary, it isn’t what the film is about at its heart. From the opening words of the piece “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” we are made to think about the tragedy that lies at the heart of Mckellen. By exploring his life both on and off the stage we see a portrait man who is constantly playing a part. In some ways this film is just McKellen talking about his career an hour and half but this film is more than that. It is a self-written (if a bit premature) obituary to the 79-year-old Academy Award nominee.
First Man
What’s it about?
What do you really know about the first man on the moon?
What did we think?
Oliver Hetherington-Page says: First Man is a fascinating character piece on a man who we all believe we know. Ryan Gosling’s performance as Armstrong is captivating as a man of few words. In his silences, we see a man who doesn’t know how to express his feeling but we as the audience can feel it all the same. Claire Foy fresh off her Emmy winning role as Queen Elizabeth shines as Armstrong’s wife. But the real star of the movie is not the performances but Damien Chazelle’s superb direction.
The controversy over the “missing” flag shows that the dissenting voices missed the one thing the title screamed. It is about the first man, not the moon mission.
First Man is First Class.